The Government Was Subjecting Me to Terror: Haik Marutyan

In our gardens, meaningless and incomprehensible constructions have been carried out, yet they have contracts. This was stated today, on February 7, during a conversation with reporters by Haik Marutyan, the leader of the "National Progress" faction and former mayor of Yerevan.

"They have contracts that we cannot terminate or demolish, as that would incur penalties amounting to millions of dollars through judicial processes. We have to patiently wait until these contracts expire in 2030 or 2040. Structures that are grotesque and incomprehensible have been built. It has been discussed with architects, and it was decided, and I signed those construction permits; they were meant to remain. The government was subjecting me to terror, stating that there should be construction permits, that it should be developed for state revenue. I said, 'I am very glad you want to fill the budget, but our architects should decide on this; the time has passed when mayors meddle in architecture,'" noted Marutyan.

Commenting on the claim by Sanitek for large sums of money from Armenia through arbitration, Marutyan stated that Armenia is currently in a strong position: "We are in a very good position because all actions by the city hall have been carried out according to the law, within the limits of the existing situation, and in accordance with international law. I have no doubt that we will win. This is a process that must be undergone. The government requested that I also get involved; of course, I have engaged, and I am doing everything to ensure that we come out victorious from this process."